Functional mechanism of an unstructured protein DN3, one of the effectors of a plant pathogen

2022 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 20K06049
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (C)
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Section: 一般
• Review Section: Basic Section 39040:Plant protection science-related
• Research Institution: Japan Advanced Institute of Science and Technology
• Principal Investigator: OHKI Shinya 北陸先端科学技術大学院大学, ナノマテリアルテクノロジーセンター, 教授 (70250420)
• Co-Investigator(Kenkyū-buntansha): 五十棲 規嘉 北陸先端科学技術大学院大学, ナノマテリアルテクノロジーセンター, 研究員 (30804512)
• Project Period (FY): 2020-04-01 – 2023-03-31
• Keywords: エフェクター / 相分離

Outline of Final Research Achievements

This project had been focusing on the structure and function of DN3, one of the effector molecules of cucurbitaceous plant pathogens. Particularly, we focused on whether DN3, which is known as IDP (intrinsically disordered protein), undergoes liquid-liquid phase separation, and investigated its properties. The results of NMR and SEM showed that DN3 forms droplets (droplets). Moreover, we obtained information about the size of these droplets. in addition, the MS results provided candidates of the target molecules.

Free Research Field

構造生物化学

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

世界的な人口増加による食糧不足を解決するために基礎研究が貢献できる分野のひとつが、植物の感染病のメカニズムの解明である。本課題では、ウリ科植物病原菌が分泌する感染原因タンパク質のひとつに着目し、その分子の構造や性質から機能を解明しようと試みた。